PartyGaming has announced a new strategy after pulling out of the United States ahead of the ban on internet wagers.

The company, which was forced to shut its website to US customers following the assent of the US Port Security Act last week, said it would take a one-off charge in the second half of about $250 million as a result of the new legislation.

Chief Executive Mitch Garber said, 'We have entered a new and distinct era. You can expect to see us push aggressively into new territory, including Asia.'

Garber said he was keen to make acquisitions and was in discussions with more than one party.

'Chaos breeds opportunity,' he said. 'I believe this is a golden consolidation opportunity for PartyGaming. We are the online gaming company with the most firepower.'